MVPs

Supporting the 'farm-to-market' road for renewables

Midcontinent Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc. (MISO) developed a series of high-voltage regional transmission lines to improve
reliability, relieve congestion, and achieve state public policy requirements,
such as Renewable Portfolio Standards. Clean Grid Alliance advocates for broad cost allocation
for transmission projects to keep them affordable for everyone and educates the
general public about the need for transmission to ensure low-cost renewables
can reach the electric market.

In 2011, MISO approved 17 high-voltage
transmission lines -- known as Multi Value Projects -- that improved the
robustness and flexibility of the electric grid for nine Midwestern states. The MVPs span the MISO footprint from North
Dakota to Indiana and Michigan. These lines are an approximately $10 billion dollar (in
2015 dollars) investment in the U.S. electricity market that is forecasted to
provide approximately $19.5 billion (in 2015 dollars) in electricity cost
savings.

These transmission lines were
developed in collaboration with stakeholders over a handful of years and in
anticipation of an increasing demand for wind energy. They provide cost savings to ratepayers by
relieving congestion and reducing the cost to deliver electricity to end use
customers. The lines will also improve
system reliability and help states cost-effectively achieve state public policy
requirements, such as Renewable Portfolio Standards. They have the
capability of delivering 25,000-29,000 megawatts of renewable energy around the
Midwest.

The 17 MVPs are in various stages
of development. Some have been
energized, most are under construction and a few are still seeking state
regulatory approval of their route. The lines are a crucial step in the development of renewable energy around the region.